Ku Klux Klan in Canada During the 1930’s
By Robin Darking
The Ku Klux Klan had suffered through decades of neglect and tried but failed to finally come back in full force into Canada, spreading its disease of hatred across the country during the period of 1930 to 1939. The KKK used the powers of fear and the head-turning of some government officials to further their campaign into Canada so they could take hold of the country as they had the USA during their former times of glory.

Unlike other third parties, they did not make an outstanding attempt at becoming a government, opting rather to take hold of society by endearing the people to them, and in essence turning them against the government.

During 1930, both Calgary and Edmonton were targeted with many Klaverns established, Edmonton especially because of the mass of Roman Catholic organizations. The Roman Catholic organizations were undermined by the propaganda that they were "leeching" away the hard-earned tax money of the native Edmonton people(1). By targeting the little things in daily life as wrong, it was easier for the Klan to make changes to society that months before, when the small changes had been criticized and picked at, would have seemed ridiculous now seem rational.

This was an extremely common tactic used by the KKK often in order to make their campaign of hate seem to side with the "poor tax-paying citizens". The Klan used a it’s front as a non-Goverment union that would help those in need that were within it’s ranks. It was truely a case of "the road to hell is paved with good intentions".

Leader of the Klan in Edmonton, J.J. Moloney, gave many speeches and said that he had "saved" white youth from inter-racial marriages(1). By doing so, he effectively endeared himself to the Christian churches, gaining support to sink the claws of the Klan further into Edmonton.

During the municipal winter election of 1930-1931, J.J. Moloney got the KKK to spread propaganda about Jim Douglas, which caused him to lose to Labour Leader Daniel Knott(1). This blatant disregard for morals shows how the KKK used manipulative tactics to gain control over the populace in Edmonton.

Later on during the year on 1931 the government of Canada stated that they believed the KKK was not a threat to anyone, infuriating the KKK all over Canada(2). Because of this statement, the KKK stayed out of further elections during 1931. Artist Archie Keyes caricatured the KKK and then a cross was burned on his lawn(2). The KKK does not consider the burning of the cross a sign of desecration, it is in fact to show how Jesus lights up the world and is a symbol of burning Christian unity in North America(3). The burning of the cross on a lawn of someone who the Klan finds "wrong" in any manner is the general stereotype used when in reference of the Klan. Unfortunately, this stereotype is true, as shown by later examples of hatred and violence.

Fred Doberstien, a citizen of Edmonton, who was prone to love affairs during married; was tarred, feathered, and threatened by local KKK members(2). The Klan not only strove to make the lives of non-whites uncomfortable and generally unlivable, but anyone who did not fit into their supposedly Christian ideals (even churches such as the Roman Catholic church were attacked) were harassed endlessly. The KKK used the Bible as a tool to twist the minds of their followers into literal brainwashing.

"CB Halpin of Lancombe's Western Glove wrote an editorial against the Klan and was threatened punishment by having his house and business burned to the ground"(2). This was a first for Canada Klan threats, althought it had been used often, and sometimes even done in the USA, thus making the fear of something like this happening to people helped in the KKK’s road to power.

The Communist-controlled Mine Workers Union of Canada when they were locked in a bitter dispute in the Crow's Nest Pass district were greeted with burning crosses, threatening 'Beware Red's signs and a stray bullet fired by people identified to be Klan members(4). All of these events truly show the nature of the KKK in Edmonton and Calgary, that they wanted to take the white minds of the populace and be able to establish dominance via the people, and not be voted office.

In 1935, J.J. Moloney left Alberta after harrowing bad press with his proverbial tail between his legs he claimed that were complete setups. He would come back later on to again harass the masses, but for now he had enough of the "hatred of whites"(4).

In Ontario during the 30's, the Klan enjoyed the endorsement by many high-ranking officials in the government(5). This was where the Klan got most of it's power for the longest time, and no other place in Canada excepted them for so long a time(5). The Klan used this power to reign over Ontario, abusing the people and the powers given to them.

In the end the short-lived popularity of the KKK died with a rush of bad press. They were not as successful as they had hoped they would be during the 1930’s, they struggled on a bit during the 40’s. The main part of their life in Canada was neither spectacular for their so far "shining record". The Klan in Canada did not help to further the American branch in their cause for non-Governmential domination over the North-American society. There are very few flare-ups of KKK movement today, and we are lucky they failed so miserably during the 1930’s.

End Notes:

1) Martin Robin, Shades of Right, (University of Toronto Press, 1992), 25
2) Martin Robin, Shades of Right, (University of Toronto Press, 1992), 26
3) KKK Representatives, Intro to Knights of the KKK, 1999, [http://www.kkk.com/intro.htm#Fiery]
4) Martin Robin, Shades of Right, (University of Toronto Press, 1992), 27
5)Julian Sher, White Hoods, (Vancouver: New Star Books,1983), 27

Bibliography

- Martin Robin, Shades of Right, University of Toronto Press, 1992
- Julian Sher, White Hoods, New Star Books,1983
- KKK Representatives, Intro to Knights of the KKK, 1999 [http://www.kkk.com/intro.htm#Fiery]

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